TOURISM BAROMETER FOR WALES
June Wave, 2024 Released: 19 July 2024 Last updated: 19 July 2024 Slow start to the year · About one in six (16%) businesses have had more customers to date this year compared to last year, and about half (48%) have had the same level. However, 36% have had fewer. · Attractions are the best performing sector, with 25% having more customers year to date than last year and 23% having fewer. At the other end of the scale, self-catering operators have had a challenging year to date, with 12% having more customers than last year but 48% having fewer. Spring occupancy levels · Net room occupancy in the serviced sector was 61% in March, 64% in April and 68% in May. Net unit occupancy in the self-catering sector was 59% in March, 65% in April and 68% in May. Summer occupancy levels – strong expectations for last minute bookings · Occupancy levels at the time of interviewing for each of June, July and August stood at between 70 and 75% for each main accommodation sector (serviced, self-catering and caravan & campsites). Many (59%) operators say they would like more bookings but expect that the last minute booking trend (driven by unpredictable weather and to some extent, consumers having less disposable income) means they will end up being busier than the current booking levels suggest. Repeat customers supporting many businesses · The clear top unprompted positive answer to the question, ‘Are there any particular reasons to be positive about business this year?’ is ‘high level of repeat customers’ (26%). However, 32% have answered, ‘there is nothing to be positive about’. Bad weather tops concerns · ‘Weather might be bad’ (30% unprompted) is the most frequently mentioned concern for this year. · Other concerns which stand out are ‘High operating costs’ (24% unprompted), ‘people lacking in disposable income’ (23%) and ‘Welsh Government policies’ (22%). Confidence to run profitably · 19% of operators are ‘very confident’ about running the business profitably this year and 37% are ‘fairly confident’. For the time of year, this is quite a low level of confidence as often tourism operators are at their most optimistic when the high summer season approaches. Wales’ tourism offering compared to competitor regions · Most (74%) operators say that from customer feedback, their region of Wales fares better than other UK holiday destinations in terms of ‘friendly welcome from the locals’. Only 5% say that other UK destinations fare better on this. · Similarly, Wales is perceived to easily outweigh other UK holiday destinations on ‘range of good quality accommodation’, ‘wide choice of good places to eat’, ‘unique off the beaten track experience’ and ‘wide range of visitor attractions’. · The two key aspects where UK destinations are perceived to fare better than Wales are ‘ease of getting around by public transport’ (16% say Wales is better but 59% say other destinations are better) and ‘good availability and quality of amenities in tourism hotspots’ (22% say Wales is better but 51% say other destinations are better). · But overall, operators feel that Wales has a strong offering, led by its natural beauty. For the full report, go to Gov.Wales - Statistics and Research and put 'Tourism Barometer' into search box.
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Sir Chris Bryant MP Appointed as New Tourism Minister within DCMSAt an event last evening 18.067.24), Sir Chris Bryant MP announced his new role as the Tourism Minister within the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS). His official appointment and full range of responsibilities are expected to be confirmed in the coming days. Background of Sir Chris BryantSir Chris Bryant is the Member of Parliament for Rhondda and Ogmore and has served as an MP since 2001. Throughout his political career, he has managed various portfolios, including the role of Shadow Culture Secretary, demonstrating his extensive experience in cultural and tourism-related matters. Minister's Vision for the British Tourism IndustryDuring his speech at the event, Sir Chris emphasized the government's ambitious goals for the British tourism industry. He stated: "I want us to be utterly ambitious as a Government about what we can do for the British tourist industry, both inbound and outbound." Sir Chris outlined his vision to attract more visitors to the UK, ensuring they have high-quality experiences and encouraging them to explore destinations beyond London. His commitment to promoting the diverse attractions across the country highlights a comprehensive approach to boosting tourism. Welcoming the New MinisterThe WTA welcome Sir Chris Bryant to this vital role and wholeheartedly agree with his remarks. His vision aligns with our own goals, and we look forward to collaborating with him to achieve these ambitions for the British tourism industry. We feel sure that the fact that he has a Welsh constituency seat makes him very aware of just how important tourism is to Wales and something of a leading edge in his relationship with Welsh Government. By focusing on the entire UK, the new Tourism Minister has said that he aims to diversify the country's tourism offerings and enhance the visitor experience, recognising the significant tourism offer that exists within the nations and regions, thereby contributing to the growth and sustainability of the sector. Croeso cynnes i Syr Chris! The King's Speech took place on Wednesday 17th July: Key Highlights and Impact on Wales The King's Speech marked a significant event in broader UK politics. Written by the government and delivered by the King, this speech outlines key policies and proposed legislation for the upcoming parliamentary period. This annual event not only marks the State Opening of Parliament but also signals the start of a new parliamentary session, bringing together the House of Lords, House of Commons, and the Monarchy. The speech is followed by debates in the House of Commons on its content. Key Policies and Legislative PointsThe 2024 King’s Speech included 40 legislative points, as detailed in the government’s official publication. While these points apply to the entire UK, many will have significant implications for Wales. The full list of legislative points can be accessed here. Major Initiatives Affecting Wales
Sector-Specific Implications For sectors particularly concerned with employment practices and labour rights, the proposed New Deal for Working People is a critical development. By targeting exploitative zero-hours contracts, this legislation seeks to provide fairer working conditions and greater job security, benefiting a substantial portion of the Welsh workforce. Conclusion The King’s Speech 2024 sets forth a comprehensive legislative agenda with significant implications for Wales. From strengthening regional relationships to promoting green energy and improving labor rights, these initiatives have the potential to drive positive change across various sectors. As the new parliamentary session unfolds, the impact of these policies on Wales will become clearer, offering opportunities for growth and development. Gwynedd Article 4 Direction
Gwynedd Council made a pivotal decision last Tuesday evening (16.07.24) regarding the introduction of an Article 4 direction, which affects second homes and holiday lets. Despite receiving over 3,000 public responses, the majority of which opposed the decision, the council proceeded to approve the measure. This means that planning permission will now be required before any home can be converted into a second home or holiday accommodation in Gwynedd. Public Response and Data Concerns The decision has sparked considerable controversy, particularly because the data used to justify it was only current up to April 2023, coinciding with the implementation of the 182-day rule. Many policy makers and members of the tourism industry voiced concerns about the impact of this rule. They argued that more up-to-date information and further engagement with industry experts were necessary before making such a significant decision. In response to these concerns, WTA member, the Professional Association of Self Catering Operators (PASC) contacted Councillor Meurig, the Cabinet Member responsible and urged delay of the decision to allow for more thorough consultation and understanding of the 182-day rule's impact. However, the council decided to proceed with the approval regardless. Implications of the Decision The new requirement for planning permission represents a significant shift in policy for homeowners and prospective buyers in Gwynedd. It is expected to have substantial implications for the housing market and the tourism industry. The move is part of a broader strategy to manage the growing number of second homes and holiday lets, which some believe are contributing to housing shortages and inflated property prices. Council Tax Premiums Consultation – Conwy In a related development, Conwy Council has initiated an annual consultation on proposed Council Tax premiums for properties identified as second homes or long-term empty dwellings. This consultation, which will close on August 18, 2024, primarily consists of straightforward 'yes' or 'no' questions, with one open-ended question for free text responses. Participation and Guidance To assist residents in participating effectively, guidelines and sample responses will be made available. These resources aim to help individuals navigate the consultation process and express their views on the proposed tax premiums. Consultation Details For those interested in taking part in the consultation, the link to the survey is here. By engaging with these consultations and staying informed about policy changes, residents and stakeholders can play a crucial role in shaping the future of housing and tourism in their communities. A massive thank you to those who joined us at the Wales Tourism Week Reception at the Senedd on Tuesday. It was an eventful day at the Senedd, coinciding as it did with the resignation of First Minister Vaughan Gething and four members of his Cabinet.
Highlights of the Event The reception featured excellent speakers who highlighted the beauty of Wales and the invaluable contribution of the tourism sector. WTA Chair Suzy Davies gave a passionate address which candidly outlined the current challenges and collaborative strategies for fostering a thriving Visitor Economy. Notably, she said that in spite of all of the challenges, tourism in Wales is still a 'thrilling industry' to be a part of and one where those of us who work in it have the privilege of making people happy and helping them create great memories.
Tourism Minister Sarah Murphy MS was scheduled to speak at the event but was unable to attend due to an unexpected Labour Group meeting. While her absence was disappointing, we understand the pressing nature of her duties. The Wales Tourism Alliance was very pleased to welcome the following Senedd Members and thank them for their attendance: Sam Rowlands Darren Millar Paul Davies Tom Giffard Sam Kurtz Russell George Janet Finch-Saunders Altaf Hussain Peter Fox James Evans Laura Anne Jones Cefin Campbell Hefin David Luke Fletcher Rhun ap Iorwerth Networking Success The Reception is always a great networking opportunity allowing us to strengthen relationships with Visit Wales, our membership groups, politicians and industry colleagues. Thank you everyone for making the Wales Tourism Week Reception a memorable and productive event and most particularly to our sponsors, the Caravan and Motorhome Club for their sponsorship. Diolch o galon! Welsh Government Changes
In a surprising turn of events, four members of the Welsh Government Cabinet resigned early last Tuesday morning (16.07.24). The resignations included:
Next Steps The Welsh Labour Welsh Executive Committee is set to meet on Saturday to determine the course of action, including whether a leadership contest will be held. Plaid Cymru is advocating for a snap Welsh Parliament election, even though the next scheduled election is in 2026. For an early election to occur, two-thirds of the Senedd would need to vote for its dissolution or the Senedd would need to fail to elect a new First Minister. Potential Candidates Speculation about potential candidates for the leadership is rife, and more details are expected to emerge in the coming days. However the following names have been mooted as possibly making a bid: Huw Irranca -Davies - has been both a UK Government Minister from his time as both a Wales Office Minister and an Environment Minister between 2007 and 2010). Jeremy Miles - former holder of Welsh Government Economy and Energy Portfolio and former leadership candidate coming second to Vaughan Gething. Hannah Blythyn - recently sacked Minister by Gething for ' leaking to the media', Ms. Blythyn held the Tourism portfolio very briefly before she was let go. Eluned Morgan - current Health Minister in Welsh Government. Has a wealth of experience having served as an MEP for 15 years before entering the House of Lords in 2011 where she served as a Shadow Wales Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister. Ms. Morgan has business leadership experience which could serve her well having led SWALEC's business development work and chaired the Cardiff Business Partnership. Ken Skates - extremely approachable Minister for North Wales with an appreciation of the tourism industry, however, a staunch supporter of the former First Minister. ![]() Plenary Record of 09.07.24: Tom Giffard How is the Welsh Government growing the Welsh tourism economy? OQ61412 Vaughan Gething First Minister of Wales Thank you. Our tourism strategy, 'Welcome to Wales', sets out our approach for growing the visitor economy. It emphasises the core areas of delivery that focus on increased spend, spreading economic benefit and helping to address seasonality issues, with sustainability at the heart of all our activity. This is backed by a £50 million Wales tourism investment fund for major projects and a £5 million 'brilliant basics' fund for capital investment on a smaller scale. Tom Giffard Diolch yn fawr iawn. You will know, with the crucial summer months coming, that there is widespread concern about the Welsh Government’s potential introduction of a tourism tax in Wales. That concern is so widespread that it has, in fact, spread to the new Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, who, last week, when asked if she supported the introduction of a tourism tax in Bournemouth, said, ‘I’m not in favour of making the staycation more expensive than it already is. I want more people to holiday in Britain. I want to support our vibrant hospitality and leisure sector. So, when we’re in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis like we are today, I don’t think it’s the right thing to do.' So, can the First Minister explain why a Labour Chancellor in one part of the United Kingdom is saying that this tax would be damaging to our economy and make the staycation more expensive than it already is, and a Welsh Labour Government here in Cardiff Bay is pursuing exactly that policy? Vaughan Gething14:19:56 First Minister of Wales Quite apart from the irony of a Member of the Senedd not understanding devolution, it's worth pointing out that a tourism levy won't come into place until 2027 at the earliest. It will be a permissive power for local authorities to decide what to do, and they will then have choices to make over how to use it. It's worth pointing out that this isn't just commonplace in many parts of the rest of the world. If you go on a sun-and-sand holiday to European destinations, you're probably paying a tourism levy of some sort, if not two different types. If you go to North America, you're almost certainly paying a state and often a city-level levy as well. If you look in the UK, greater Manchester have used a levy that they've invested in supporting events, to generate more return for their night-time and visitor economy. Being creative about how we support the sector is important to understand what sustainable looks like. And this is actually about us making sure that devolution doesn't just stop in Cardiff Bay. We're looking for legislation to give powers to local authorities to make choices, for them to be accountable for those choices, to demonstrate the benefit or otherwise of using those powers or not. I think this is a good example. In the longer term, I think people will see this as a real success. Of course, the Member is entitled to carry on making his argument that has had such great success with the people of Wales last week. LTT replaced Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) in Wales from 1 April 2018. The Welsh Revenue Authority (WRA) collects and manages the tax for the Welsh Government. Speaking from the Senedd Chamber yesterday (09.07.24), Rebecca Evans the Welsh Government’s Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Constitution and Cabinet Office stated: The regulations before the Senedd are subject to the draft affirmative procedure. If the Senedd approves them today, I expect them to come into force on Friday (12.07.24). I’m grateful to the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee and the Finance Committee for their reports. The Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee has raised a technical scrutiny point and we have responded. The very minor error identified in the draft statutory instrument has now been corrected in advance of the regulations being made. The regulations will make changes to the land transaction tax higher residential rates refund and exception rules. LTT partial refunds are available to those who have paid the higher residential rates when buying a new home prior to selling their existing home. LTT higher residential rate exceptions are available to those who sell their old home before purchasing a new one but who own an interest in another dwelling at the time that they buy the new home. The refund and exception periods are available for three years from the time of a relevant transaction and are beneficial to homebuyers bridging between homes. Evidence indicates that, while three years is usually long enough to support homebuyers, it can be too short in some truly exceptional circumstances. We are therefore proposing that the refund and exception periods be extended without limit for property transactions that are delayed by unresolved fire safety defects and emergency restrictions. In relation to unresolved fire safety defects, the new rules will allow future refund claims in relation to transactions that take place after the regulations come into force, but also in relation to claims where the three-year period has already expired, providing they would otherwise have been eligible within the original three-year period. In relation to emergency restrictions, the new rules will extend the three-year period for refunds and exceptions relating to relevant transactions where such emergency restrictions take place in the future. Recent public consultation has indicated a strong degree of support for the proposals, and I ask Members to approve these regulations. Who has to pay LTT You must pay LTT if you buy a property or land over a certain price threshold in Wales. The threshold is where the tax starts to apply. The current LTT threshold is:
There are different rules if you already own one or more residential properties, and you may need to pay the higher residential rates. However, if you’re replacing your main residence, the higher rates may not apply. See our guide to higher rates. You pay the tax when you:
You must send a LTT return even if there’s nothing to pay, except for certain transactions that do not need a return. How much you pay How much you pay depends on if the property is residential or non-residential. You can use our tax calculator to help you work out how much you’ll pay. The amount you pay might be affected if you’re buying:
Wales is blessed with a beautiful coastline which boasts the most beaches with Blue Flag status in the UK. Since the above Smokefree Beaches campaign was launched by ASH Wales, six beaches in Wales have introduced voluntary smoking bans. Cigarette butts are the number one most littered items in the world, posing a major threat to the marine environment. Every year 4.5 trillion cigarette butts are discarded globally, with each one taking up to 12 years to degrade. ASH Wales believes preventing smoking on beaches in Wales will play a major role in helping to reduce cigarette litter, protect wildlife and prevent young children from starting smoking. Litter and pollution 4.5 trillion cigarette butts are dropped across the world each year. They are made with a form of plastic called cellulose acetate which takes up to 12 years to biodegrade. Danger to animals and marine life Cigarette butts are toxic and filled with deposits of tars and chemicals, which leach out into the sea and poison marine wildlife. Birds and small animals swallow butts, resulting in poisoning, malnutrition and even death. Young people ash.wales is campaigning for children and young people to have the right to play and meet their friends in a clean and healthy environment. Smoking at the beach creates the impression that it is a harmless activity but in reality it kills more than 5,000 people a year in Wales. Second-hand smoke Just as toxic outdoors as it is indoors and depends on wind speed, direction and the number and proximity of smokers. 80% of cigarette smoke is invisible and contains over 4000 chemicals, 69 of which are cancer-causing. For more information click on the following link: Smokefree Beaches - Action on Smoking and Health (ash.wales) Earlier his week before polling day, the four tourism alliances across the UK got together in Belfast to discuss how we can continue to collaborate, ensure we work together effectively, and talk about the policy opportunities and challenges we will face with a new Westminster government.
We had an extremely useful and productive meeting and have committed to meeting regularly from now on. There is an awful lot for us to learn from each other’s experiences dealing with issues in the various parts of the UK as we all share the same objective to support and promote tourism businesses in our areas. Our thanks go to Joanne Stuart from the Northern Ireland Tourism Alliance for hosting this time round, Marc Crothall MBE from the Scottish Tourism Alliance and Richard Toomer from Tourism Alliance England for their collaboration. Pictured left to right: Lisa Francis (WTA Policy Advocate), Richard Toomer (Executive Director – Tourism Alliance England), Dr.Joanne Stuart OBE (CEO NI Tourism Alliance) and Marc Crothall MBE (CEO Scottish Tourism Alliance) Speaking at 12.45 pm today from outside No. 10 at his first address as newly elected Prime Minister, following a landslide Labour victory, Sir Keir Starmer said that this Labour Government would represent a renewal and a return to public service.
He went on to say that the 'wound of lack of trust' can only be healed with actions and not words. "My Government will serve you; country first, party second," he said. Speaking to a large crowd of supporters, press and media, he said that our country needs a re-set and a rediscovery of who we are and: ".... that this depends on politicians who stand for moderation and stability as I do". "The work of change begins immediately ......, he continued, concluding his speech with, "We will rebuild Britain and restore service in politics ............ our work is urgent and we begin it today." Significantly, the word 'service' was used several times during this speech and will resonate with many of us who work in tourism. It is clear that the first 100 days of this new administration will need to be pivotal in terms of achievement and the promise of change and we watch with interest at how future working with devolved administrations, particularly our own, will develop. The Wales Tourism Alliance wishes Sir Keir Starmer all good fortune and success as he takes over as our Prime Minister of the UK. |